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LETTER: It’s time to take money out of politics

Our current status is due to the 2010 Citizens United decision of the Supreme Court.

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The Courier-Post
Published 6:35 p.m. ET Sept. 12, 2017

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Leading up to the midterm elections in 2018, it’s all about the money, and on there’s a lot of it on both sides. Veuer’s Nick Cardona (@nickcardona93) has that story.Buzz60

A twenty dollar bill being inserted into an election ballot box with the flag of the United States, conceptualizing the corrupt influence of big money on politics.(Photo: Kagenmi, Getty Images/iStockphoto)

In these political times it’s hard to cut through the noise and focus on what’s important. The 24-hour news cycle, the tweeting, rallies and investigations distract us from the most important issue of our time. Citizens have lost their voice in our government. We lost something fundamental to the health of our republic. Our voice and votes have been suppressed by the overwhelming impact of big money. Corporations, super PACs and the top 1 percent of wealth holders are in control. Issues like the environment, consumer financial protections, civil rights and healthcare are being decided by money. The schoolhouse teachings of a representative democracy where citizens are represented in Congress, where are voices and votes are heard, almost seems like a lie told to children. Our current status is due to the 2010 Citizens United decision of the Supreme Court.

But, “Imagine a government run by people, not money.” This is the opening graphic when you go to the website of American Promise (americanpromise.net). It seems like a childhood dream, right? American Promise’s goal is to get the 28th Amendment passed. It would limit campaign spending by big money interest and give every one of us an equal vote. Our representatives would be working for us, not fundraising for re-election.

Nineteen states and 800 cities have already signed on. Eighty percent of people on both sides of the political spectrum want to overturn Citizens United. There is tremendous agreement. Now we just have to turn a dream into reality. Two local American Promise chapters have formed in South Jersey. We are working with our representatives to sign pledges of support and gain co-sponsors to existing legislation. We have the support of Sens. Cory Booker and Bob Menendez as well as Congressman Donald Norcross.

As the noise of this current political environment continues to drone on and exhaust you, don’t throw up your hands. Get involved in American Promise’s movement for the 28th Amendment. It’s time well spent to restore our republic to the “history” we teach our children about our representative democracy.

Cyndy Mullineaux

Haddon Heights

Read or Share this story: http://www.courierpostonline.com/story/opinion/readers/2017/09/12/letter-its-time-take-money-out-politics/659988001/